Cricket ODI World Cup Betting Tips

The Cricket World Cup has already seen some gigantic shocks with the Netherlands beating South Africa and Afghanistan beating England. However, the major shock from a UK standpoint is how poor the England team have been, can they recoup some sort of form and leave India with a respectable performance behind them? Find out in our tips below.

Cricket World Cup Betting Tips - India v New Zealand/South Africa v Australia

After a comprehensive group stage, the Cricket World Cup semi-final lineup is set with dominant hosts India facing New Zealand, who recovered from four defeats in a row to win their final game and reach the knockout stages.

In the other semi-final, a more evenly matched clash between Australia and South Africa is set to take place, with both teams finishing the group stage with a record of seven wins and two defeats.

Here, we pick out the best bets for the two semi-finals.

Tip 1 - Virat Kohli top India run scorer @ 11/4

India have been the dominant force at this year’s World Cup, winning all nine of their group matches in imperious fashion.

However, they have lost their last four knockout games against New Zealand, so they will have to buck that trend in order to keep up their impressive run.

The Wankhede Stadium is the setting for Wednesday’s first semi-final, and winning the toss will be crucial to the outcome of this game.

357/6 has been the average first innings score at this ground in this tournament, while 188/9 has been the average score when chasing a total.

India have batted first in their last four games, and while they have been successful both setting a target and chasing it at this tournament, whichever team wins the toss will surely bat first.

All of India’s top order have impressed at this World Cup, but the standout has been their talisman, Virat Kohli.

The 35-year-old leads the tournament in both runs with 594 and also, in average, with 99.

The conditions suit Kohli down to the ground, and with India’s openers doing well, there is often no pressure on him by the time he walks out to the middle.

The number three has two centuries and seven 50s at the tournament and is fancied to be the top Indian run-scorer in this crucial game.

Tip 2 - South Africa to beat Australia @ Evs

South Africa picked up an impressive win over Australia in the group stages of the World Cup, and they look overpriced to repeat the trick when the teams meet at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.

A shock defeat to the Netherlands and a loss to the dominant hosts India have been the only blots on South Africa’s copy book, and their batting lineup could overpower these opponents.

The Proteas have managed four totals above 350 at the tournament, and any repeat of that would prove incredibly difficult to catch.

The toss will again be crucial here; the chasing side have only won two of the last 11 one-day internationals at this ground.

To add to their impressive batting efforts, South Africa have a strong bowling attack, with youngster Gerard Coetzee impressing in recent weeks.

The Proteas look at the value selection to reach the final in this matchup.

ODI Cricket World Cup: Group Stage Predictions

Cricket World Cup Outright Betting Tips

The Cricket World Cup gets underway this week with India looking to become the fourth victorious home nation on the trot in the 50-over format.

Virat Kohli is the only survivor from India's winning 2011 team when they co-hosted the tournament, but they come into this edition with the world's second-ranked batter — Shubman Gill — and top-rated bowler Mohammed Siraj.

Defending champions England start with a tough assignment against New Zealand, the team they overcame on boundary count in the final at Lord's four years ago after a thrilling tie and Super Over.

Australia, the 2015 winners, begin their quest for a sixth title with a tough opening test against India before they go on to face a dangerous South Africa team that could spring a few surprises.

South Africa – To Reach the Final @ 14/5

The Proteas are in good form coming into the tournament after three-straight wins over Australia earned them a 3-2 series victory at home.

Rob Walter's team also got the better of England in home conditions last January when Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma hit centuries.

That duo bring reliability to a hard-hitting South African top order, while spin twins Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj ensure Bavuma has a balanced array of options in his attack.

The loss of speedster Anrich Nortje to a back injury was a blow, but there is plenty of cover in the pace bowling department with Kagiso Rabasa, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi.

South Africa have more depth to their spin attack than most other teams due to all-rounder Aiden Markram's ability to go at less than six runs per over.

Their tweakers can be the keys to victory on slow surfaces like Delhi and Lucknow, where they begin against Sri Lanka and Australia, while their seam attack can flourish on the faster track at Eden Gardens when they take on India.

New Zealand – Top 4 Finishing Position @ 21/20

The consistent Black Caps have made the semi-finals at the last four World Cups and went on to lose the finals in 2015 and 2019.

The Lord's defeat was agonising and it seems to have taken many of the team a few years to get over it, but they appear to be on an upward trajectory again ahead of this edition.

Kane Williamson is over his injury problems and is set to play a major part for them again, while opener Devon Conway is running into form after a lean spell.

An attack comprising Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner are well used to bowling in Indian conditions, with young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra likely to benefit from their experience.

They struggled against England in September, but that was without Williamson and his presence should give the squad a major boost ahead of a gruelling round-robin stage.

Trent Boult – Top Tournament Wicket taker @ 14/1

The left-armer remains a magician with the new ball and his ability to take top-order wickets in the powerplay puts him firmly in the frame for the tournament's top bowler prize.

Boult and Mitchell Starc tied for the most tournament scalps in 2015 and it is noticeable how left-arm bowlers have been prominent at the top of that list in recent years.

Even when the tournament last took place on the subcontinent, left-arm quick Zaheer Khan finished with the joint-most wickets and it would be no surprise to see in-form Boult lead the way again in 2023.